Job Description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship. The Engineering apprenticeship is a full time opportunity to earn while you learn and consists of both industry training and academia study using both theory and practical elements. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship program, which involves a 4 year duration, facilitated through IBEC, the Institutes of Technology and our company. The course is a Level 8 Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Advanced Manufacturing. The apprenticeship will be a blended combination of on the job employer based learning and off the job learning delivered through Higher Education Institutions.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

During the four year Manufacturing Engineer apprenticeship, the Manufacturing Engineer apprentice participates in and supports the execution of the below listed accountabilities of the manufacturing engineer under the mentorship of a qualified manufacturing engineer.

Support the completion of all Planned Maintenance and Calibration activities. Collaborate with IPT colleagues and non IPT colleagues, particularly Quality, EHS, Technical Operations, in completion of tasks to ensure best practice outputs.
Participate in continuous improvement, root cause analysis on system failures and substandard equipment performance. Utilise standard tools and methods to resolve machine and system issues e.g. FMEA, Fishbone diagrams, 5 why's etc (under aseptic/clean room conditions). Provide input, review and approval for atypical, observation, and process capability investigations.
Participate in troubleshooting activities related to equipment events.
Participate in the identification of new equipment and/or modifications to existing equipment to optimize throughput and reduce process cycle times.
Drive change through Change control system in line with deadlines.
Participate in the monitoring, troubleshooting and repair complex systems including CIP, Autoclaves, Washers, production vessels, HVAC, Isolators, compressed gasses, and filling equipment under minimal supervision in a highly regulated, cGMP environment.
Interpret P&ID’s, equipment/system layouts, wiring diagrams, and specifications in planning and overseeing maintenance and repairs.
Participate in data analysis and contribute to informed decisions and recommendations based on data analysis conclusions.
Participate in maintenance process analysis to ensure continuous, reliable, and repeatable equipment performance.
Drive continuous process improvements using Lean Principles, aiming for optimum equipment uptime and target outputs
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer when acting as the point-of-contact for new equipment and/or modifications to existing equipment.
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer when acting as the technical representative for established maintenance and equipment processes including new process and equipment introduction.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, supporting vendor management, communications, training, and project work to ensure audit and inspection readiness.
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer in the design, authoring, reviewing, approval, and execution of procedural and practice updates to support ongoing maintenance and manufacturing.
Participate effectively in writing/revising/ rolling out accurate operational procedures, training materials and maintenance procedures for various IPT systems; ensure all work is carried out in line with same.
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer in the provision of technical input into quality notifications and the authoring, reviewing, and approval of investigations.
Provide support with audit/inspection requirements to ensure department compliance/readiness.
Participate in internal and external audits and inspections.
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer in the assessment of opportunities for financial savings and support opportunities for financial savings by providing resources, expertise and project work.
Support the qualified manufacturing engineer to reduce maintenance costs and improve the overall equipment effectiveness by driving Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
Drive compliance with company Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, regulatory requirements and execute current Good manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in the performance of day to day activities and all applicable job functions

What educational requirements/skills you will need:

Candidates must be over 18 years of age.
Leaving Certificate Exam results (all apply):
Minimum of Grade O3 in Ordinary Level Maths or H6 in Higher Level Maths
Minimum of Grade O3 Ordinary Level (or H6 in Higher Level) in at least one Science related subject
Minimum Grade O5 in Ordinary Level English
Minimum Grade O5 in three other subjects
Achieves the required level of Aptitude Testing
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with colleagues at all levels in a team environment
Understand the specific responsibilities of all departments as they relate to ones own department, understanding the business processes ones department supports
Self motivated
Effective time management and multi-tasking skills
Excellent attention to detail
Goal/results orientated

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

So, if you are ready to:

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Computer Literacy, Data Analysis Management, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Maintenance, Equipment Reliability Improvement, Equipment Troubleshooting, Field Failure Analysis, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Maintenance, Pneumatics, Preventive Maintenance, Production Scheduling, Quality Standards, Technical Reporting

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

04/25/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship - Carlow

Job Description